Shay's is a must stop on every trip to Cambridge. It was a chilly March day, but it was sunny and…read morehad a great vibe on the front patio. Between the 2 of us, we tried 3 wines: Barbera, Tempranillo and Cotes du Rhone - the last was our favorite by far. We'll be back next time!

The first time I went, I didn't end up ordering anything because it was just too crowded. Most…read morepeople seemed to be there for the drinks, standing around and mingling. So, I decided to come back on a weekday when it was quieter. On my second visit, I went on a weekday night and was able to grab a seat at the bar. I ordered their Chicago-Style Hot Dog and a draft beer. Wow, the hot dog was so good that I even asked about the recipe so I could try making it at home! It came topped with diced tomatoes, purple onion, relish, and Dijon mustard. Simple but so delicious. I'd love to come back and try more of their food fare!

Frank helped us out on our first visit. He's the mug wizard. Since then, numerous employees have…read morehelped us. All friendly and welcoming. This is the best tiki bar in Boston/Cambridge area. Probably in the state if I think about it. Legit cocktails. Very, very good food. Veg options. Creative and affordable mugs. An adjacent parking structure (the only one in Harvard Square). The place is unicorn material. I've been here maybe four times over several years. Shame on me for finishing this cumulative review now. The good news is every visit was solid. I've been here as a small and also large party. Sat at both the bar and table. Had reservations and also walked in. Visited in the summer and also winter. Weekends are tough to get in without a resy. It's tiny. And its Cambridge. Weekdays you'll be fine but reserve anyway. It's free. From bar to tables to booths, you're covered with seating. Can they serve a table for ten? Maybe but I wouldn't be that person. Check ahead of time. Drinks are strong. Sometimes sweet but mostly balanced. Food is yummy. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options clearly marked on the menu. Serving dishes and bowls are fun too: skulls/shells/etc. Enjoy this hidden secret. And don't steal the mugs. Buy them--they're so reasonable.

The whole experience was amazing. We sat at the bar and had a couple of drinks each. Every tiki…read morecocktail we ordered was fantastic and we had the pupu platter. Generally pupu platters are average but a good way to get a taste of all the apps. When we tried Wusong's pupu platter, it was amazing! Some of the best Chinese flavors I've ever had. We sat at the bar and watching the bartender Brian work was definitely an experience and entertainment all by itself. We can't wait to go back!

Small food menu. Oysters and pigs in a blanket for appetizers were good. The fried chicken sandwich…read morecould have used more sauce. Our direct waiter was great, always coming by and refilling water. There was another member of the team who kept coming by to ask us if we had a reservation and if we were ready for the check. Felt like he was trying to rush us out. Also I'm pretty sure he could have checked on his own to confirm that we had booked with a reservation. This is the main reason for the lower star review.

This spot is really cute, but I had an unfortunate experience at the host stand. I called ahead…read more(less than an hour before arriving) with a specific request and was told over the phone that it could be accommodated. Once I made the trip out and arrived, the hostess very rudely said that it was not possible to accommodate the request. She also tried to gaslight me that the call didn't happen and I didn't call the correct number (this was not at all true). I ended up disregarding her and asking someone else for help, and the manager(?) stepped up and accommodated the request. Anyway I got a very pretty drink from here and the little roof deck is cute.

Restaurant and bar near the Harvard Square. The portions were large, and the food was acceptable;…read morethat's probably why it was still so lively on a Tuesday night. Moules Frites: Google revealed it's Belgium's national dish, but this seems to be an Irish restaurant... The mussels weren't large, but they were quite fresh and very umami. The sauce, a blend of butter, parsley, and white wine, was creamy without being too greasy. However, the fries were just average, a bit cold and soggy. Shepherd's Pie: I chose what looked like the most Irish main course. The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy, and the minced lamb was very flavorful. Unfortunately, the sauce was a bit too salty, overpowering the natural acidity of the tomatoes.

A cozy pub with a more elevated menu and nice cocktails. There is a surprising amount of seating…read moreinside. The service was friendly and attentive. I got the hot-buttered cider, which was comforting and had exactly the right amount of cinnamon spice. The Irish coffee was a bit too strong on the whiskey for my liking, but I loved the baileys cream topping. The cheese board was substantial enough for 2-3 people. I loved the variety of cheese and the tart cranberry preserves on the side. I do wish it came with more bread or some crackers.

Came here for dinner on a Sunday evening and the space was relatively empty - not too full given…read morethe amount of tables. Ambiance felt modern and chic given the decorations and lighting which matched the overall vibes of the restaurant. Menu had a decent selection of dishes - nothing too standout as a typical American restaurant. The entree I got was okay, expensive and tasted fine. Overall, nothing special though. I probably wouldn't come back here again, but I had a fine meal with my friend. The price and quality just didn't match for me though and I probably would opt to eat somewhere else.

We love this restaurant with live music & swanky nightclub vibe!…read more The entire staff is super efficient, professional and friendly. All the meals, by fabulous Executive Chef Jason Bond, were beautifully plated, served hot and delish! The expansive menu and creative cocktails are truly an experience for all tastebuds. The venue itself is so elegantly decorated yet relaxed at the same time. The performance space is also beautifully lit with it's own bar. Seating in the entire restaurant lends so much to the intimate setting and the casualness of the couch, chairs with low tables are fun! Truly an wonderful dining experience for couples, friends or family. And the parking is FREE! Reservations are a must as this is a very popular restaurant - when you go, you'll understand why!! Check out this review too: https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2025/08/01/lous-cambridge-music-restaurant-harvard-square/

Excellent! Love Charlie's Kitchen. A friend and I visited during a snow storm...they were open!…read more The service was great and the menu is classic dive bar, but a little better. I had a chicken sandwich. My friend had the burger. Both were great. You can't beat the prices!

I have walked by hundreds of times so I finally stopped in. The music was cranked. It was a…read morelittle early for the beer garden. It brought me back in time to the Charley's at Kenmore Square. I beat the Harvard student and tourists so there were plenty of seats. I sat at the bar and had a double cheeseburger and fries for 16.00. You can't beat the price. It came out after about twelve minutes. The fries were cold so they must have been on the warmer. The burger was medium rare so I was pleased with the burger. I would return.

I went to this place because the restaurant manager helped my mom when she was stuck in the…read moreelevator going to the 2nd floor. They managed to get her out and gave her information to call CVS headquarters to complain about the elevator. I went back to the restaurant to thank them for helping her. So I went to eat at their restaurant, and I have no regrets about it. I had their Russel burger with fries. Their fries were a little Burnt, but were still delicious. I also asked for a side of tartar sauce, and it was good. My mom had their fish and chips, and she said it was amazing. She didn't leave more food to take home; it was that good. I had to take mine home because I was full. The ambiance was lively and full of energy. Maybe because the World Cup was in town, but it was amazing. In the end, I love this place, and i will be coming back again. I love this place, and I want to thank the manager for helping my mom. You guys are amazing.

My husband and I spent some time walking around Harvard while in town recently, and stopped here…read morefor a late lunch! First, we shared some oysters (yum!) and mussels. The mussels were delicious and were served with fries and an aioli, which was such a unique preparation in my experience! They were delicious. Then, for lunch, I opted for the fish and chips. Be warned, the portions are huge! The fish was delicious and the tartar sauce seemed made in house and fresh. Overall, it was a good lunch and I'm glad we stopped at this fun spot!

Foods good. Good deals. Good choice of beverages. The beef stew is really good and then the…read moreSalvadorian dinner is really good. Lalas is really good. Good menu for a lot of different dietary options. I am going to get the fondue next .

BEWARE RACIST BOUNCER!!!!! Grendel's is an amazing spot to…read moredrink a beer... if you can make it in. The bouncer is homeless and will harass you, especially if you are brown. Imagine: you're just a girl running away from a homeless guy chasing you on the street... then it turns out he's the bouncer!!!! He falls asleep on the job and then blames you for not checking in with him. Bouncer does crackhead math to arbitrarily decide if you people can enter. Party of 5? NO WAY!! part of 2? party of 3? FOR SURE!!!! He also cant read IDs, which is basically his only job as a bouncer. Have you ever beeen judged racially?? If not, come interact with the grendel's bouncer: then you'll know how it feels. Otherwise Grendel's is sick. The servers and bartenders are super nice and the vibe is great. But the bouncer eating soup ruined it.